The University of the Pacific has made massive strides in the closely watched college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, moving into the top 30% of schools nationally for the first time.
The Stockton-based university catapulted 18 places in this year’s rankings, it reported, advancing to 121st out of 422 schools. It performed even better in certain categories; in “best value,” for instance, UOP is third behind Stanford and Caltech.
UOP said this year marks the highest ranking it has achieved in the annual survey, the results of which can be a key deciding factor for students when making higher education selections.
The university, the oldest in California, believes the leap is due in large part to its relatively low student-faculty ratio and a high median earning among graduates. UOP averages 12 students for every faculty member. Graduates earn a median annual income of $62,672 six years after leaving campus.
“These rankings reflect the value and life-changing impact of a Pacific education, from helping students achieve strong career outcomes and earning potential after graduation to providing a learning environment that is both excellent and accessible,” President Christopher Callahan said in a statement about the latest U.S. News survey.
Under Callahan, 175-year-old UOP has focused on expanding into fields likely to yield higher-paying jobs that meet market demand. Its biggest initiative is a drive to train the doctors of tomorrow by opening a medical school by 2030.
UOP, which also has campuses in Sacramento and San Francisco, is listed by U.S. News as having total enrollment of 6,842, with graduate students slightly outnumbering undergrads. The average annual cost of tuition and books is $60,760, though financial aid reduces that price to $23,800.
Among California colleges and universities, UOP ranked 19th in the U.S. News report. It placed just behind the University of San Francisco and ahead of Cal State Long Beach.
UOP’s progress in the ranking was also reflected in specific departments. The School of Engineering and Computer Science bolted a whopping 55 spots to hit 44th place nationally.
The university’s career-focused education is apparent from the moment freshmen first stride across campus. A First-Year Experience program offers hands-on exploration of different fields, an effort that helps new students figure out which career best suit them.
“The career component doesn’t wait until the third or fourth year,” Jeff Hole, the professor who directs the program, said in a statement. “We want students from day one thinking about not just what they’re going to do as a career, but how they present themselves and how they tell their story.”